Team-mates go to war: Top 10 bust-ups between players on the same side

Jacks of all trades: Nathan Dyer and Jonathan de Guzman argue over the Swans’ spot-kick at Wembley. (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)

Nathan Dyer threw a Wembley wobbler when Jonathan de Guzman denied him the chance to score a hat-trick by taking a penalty in Swansea’s 5-0 Capital One Cup final canter against Bradford.

Striker Michu had to intervene as a peacemaker before the pair later made up following the facile victory.

They are not the first team-mates to argue on the pitch – but at least Dyer and De Guzman only traded angry verbals. Here are ten other incidents when things turned nasty between so-called pals.

Stuart McCall v Andy Myers (Bradford, 2001)
Before any Bantams fans have a snigger at the Swans they should cast their minds back to this unsavoury incident. Bradford were in the process of losing 6-1 to neighbours Leeds at Elland Road when the two came to blows. Bradford skipper McCall needed stitches after he was hit in the face by Myers. For his part, McCall aimed a headbutt at the defender but missed.

Lee Bowyer v Kieron Dyer (Newcastle, 2005)The Toon Army were already watching their side being demolished as Aston Villa raced into a 3-0 lead at St James’ Park when Bowyer and Dyer traded punches. Villa skipper Gareth Barry was the first to step in and part the feuding Magpies. The players, who were later to team up at West Ham, refused to say sorry to each other when Newcastle manager Graeme Souness forced them to make a public apology.

Bruce Grobbelaar v Steve McManaman (Liverpool, 1993)
Zany Liverpool goalkeeper Grobbelaar grabbed young winger Macca by the jaw after his weak clearance gifted Everton the lead in a Merseyside derby. McManaman, who had stood up to Grobbelaar’s verbal assault, decided not to follow up the attack with a physical response of his own and walked away from the bust-up.

Emmanuel Adebayor v Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal, 2008)
Tottenham fans were already in a jovial mood as their side powered to a 5-1 win over neigbhours Arsenal in a typically passionate north London derby. But then Adebayor appeared to headbutt Bendtner in the Spurs penalty area and their celebrations went through the roof. Arsene Wenger typically didn’t see the incident, but perhaps Adebayor had a premonition he would eventually join Tottenham and was trying to get in the good books of the Spurs supporters.

Graeme Le Saux v David Batty (Blackburn Rovers, 1995)
Batty went batty during a Champions League match at Spartak Moscow after Le Saux took the ball off him, took a bad touch and conceded a throw. The pair argued as play continued and Le Saux allegedly broke a hand in the kerfuffle, while Batty was soon sold to Newcastle. It could have been worse if Tim Sherwood had not stepped in to calm things down.

Craig Levein v Graeme Hogg (Hearts, 1994)
Hogg became one of an elite group of players to be sent off while being carried to the dressing room on a stretcher after Levein, later to become Scotland manager, broke his nose during a pre-season friendly at Raith Rovers. Both players saw red and Levein was banned for 14 games and Hogg for ten.

Ricardo Fuller v Andy Griffin (Stoke, 2008)
Fuller was sent off, suspended for three games and fined £20,000 after he hit Griffin when his error led to an equaliser for West Ham. It was more of a slap than a punch but the referee was not amused.

Mike Flanagan v Derek Hales (Charlton, 1979)
Both players were dismissed after trading blows as the Addicks played non-league Maidstone in an FA Cup tie. The pair, who formed one of the most potent strike partnerships in the club’s history, went toe-to-toe when Flanagan dallied and failed to play in Hales, who was caught offside. Hales was reinstated after being immediately sacked and Flanagan was exonerated but was soon sold to Crystal Palace.

Stan Collymore v Trevor Benjamin (Leicester City, 2000)
Charlton were the sunned spectators when the two Leicester strikers fell out during a reserve team game. They only swapped insults on the pitch but at half-time it turned to fisticuffs. Collymore left the Foxes soon after the incident.

Shaun Derry v Jose Fonte (Crystal Palace, 2008)
Eagles team-mates Derry and Fonte, who had played for Benfica, flew at each other and had to be separated by defender Matt Lawrence after conceding an injury-time goal to Birmingham. Derry put his hands round Fonte’s throat after the strike from Kevin Phillips as mayhem ensued.